[sharktrager]

What motivated them? Here, Cullen says, it is necessary to distinguish Klebold from Harris. Klebold was a depressed and troubled kid who could have been saved. Harris was an icy killer. He once thought about hijacking a plane and flying it into Manhattan.

So the point is that they weren't victims of anyone, except of course Klebold being a victim of Harris.

The author really doesn't add much or have any original thoughts. His greatest "insight" comes from FBI reports, but one thing that has been proven is that the psychological profiling and research done by the FBI is usually worthless. So Harris' journals were arrogant and hateful. This doesn't mean he had high self-esteem. In fact, it is just as likely it was overcompensating for very low self-esteem.

Clearly there is blame to be placed here beyond the killers. Their parents were clueless. The police and legal system ignored reports that these were dangerous kids. Just because we point out mistakes made by others does not mean we are excusing the actions of the killers.

[DuncanWaring]

Their parents were clueless.

Does anyone know if there has been any sign of the Klebold/Harris parents at any point in the last five years?

I certainly haven't heard of any.

[elli1]

Here's the original Slate article--much better than this NYTimes recap of the article:

http://slate.msn.com/id/2099203/fr/ifr/